Susan Ryder RP NEAC

After choosing and arranging her subject, Sue does a pencil sketch to decide on the canvas size and proportion. She then "draws" in paint, squeezing Viridian, Ochre and Cadmium Red on the canvas and rubbing in with a turpy rag before wiping back the lighter areas to feel the composition emerging.

She paints with round hog brushes, her palette: Titanium White, Yellow and Red Cadmium, Alizarin, Viridian, Cerulean, French Ultra and Prussian Blue.

Starting with a middle ground object in mid tone - say a lampshade, she then cuts in with a darker tone behind then adding the important lightest point. She blocks in the larger shapes, always relating to the lightest point and thinking of depth, following with a finer hog for detail and emphasis.

Two to three hours concentration - continuing the next day, light permitting.

Final adjustments in the studio can take some time.